Switch-operating mechanism for controlling motors



Oct. 28. 1924. 1,513,681

D. W. WARD SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING MOTORS- Original Filed March 28, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,uu/u/mnuuu/um1\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Q 1 f llIIIII/lIIIIIlIIIIIIlI/I/I/I/I/ll/ 1 D. w. W'ARD SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING MOTORS Oct. 28 ,1924. 1,513,681

Original Filed March 28, 922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 urn/10111101,

Patented Oct. 28, 1924.

UNITED STATES DANIEL W. WARD, 0F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOBJ OF ONE-HALF TO DAVID A.

PATENT OFFICE.

STRIGKLAND, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING MOTORS.

Application filed March 28, 1922, Serial No. 547,595.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. W'ARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanism for Controlling Motors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for automatically operating electric switches controlling electric motors used for any purpose.

My invention does away entirely with the employment of clock trains and relies upon gear trains, driven by the motor which is being controlled, for determining the period of elapsed time which will occur before the mechanism operates the electric switch.

The object of the invention is the provision of novel mechanism utilizing the principle referred to which is adapted to be set at will to predetermine the time interval which will elapse after setting, before the mechanism will operate the electric switch that controls the motor which drives the mechanism.

The invention comprises gearing operated by a shaft of the electric motor which is to be controlled, an elapsed time wheel operated by the gearing and having engageable means representing intervals of the complete elapsed time period represented by the rotation of the wheel, a settable device adapted to be selectively arranged to engage any of the means on the elapsed time wheel to predetermine the time which shall elapse before the mechanism will operate, and an electric switch controlling the circuit of the motor which is arranged to be operated, tripped, or otherwise controlled, by the movement of the settable device, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention also embodies the particular settable device hereinafter described, the particular elapsed time wheel set forth hereinafter, and means for locking the settable device so that it will not be jarred, or accidentally displaced, from its set position.

My invention is adapted for determining the period of time an electric fan, washer, mixer, or other machine is to run, without requiring watching by the operator. The invention may be built in the machine with which it is used, or it can be built in selfcontained form, including any desired con- Renewed August 25, 1924.

struction or type of electric switch, and applied to the machine it is to control.

The mechanism is adapted for the utiliza tion of gearing of any desired ratio which will predetcrmine the period of time in which the time wheel will complete a rotation.

The invention is illustrated in connection with an electric fan but it is to be understood that it is adapted for the control of the operation of any machine driven by an electric motor. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the particular train of gears nor to the specific embodiment of time wheel or settable operating device described ex cept where recited in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of the upper part of an electric fan showing my invention applied thereto, the view of the mechanism being taken on the line 1-1, Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the improved mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the casing containing the mechanism, showing the head of the settable device, and the dial.

Fig. 4: is a vertical section on the line 4 l, Fig. 2.

Fig. is a detail vertical section on the line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal section on a part of the time wheel and of the pin 011 the settable device; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing how the mechanism may be employed in connection with an ordinary two-button snap switch.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to a well known type of oscillating electric fan of which 1 is the motor, 2 the pedestal on which said motor is pivoted, 3 the link pivoted to the pedestal 2, 4c the crank disk to which link is pivoted, and the shaft, mounted in suitable bearings in the case 6 of the fan. The case 6 contains the usual worm and wheel drive which is turned by the shaft of the motor and operates on the shaft 5 to elfect oscillation of the fan through the medium of the link 3 and the disk 4. The foregoing elements constitute no part of my invention as my invention may be applied to any machine having a rotary shaft with which the improved mechanism may be connected for the purpose of driving it.

As shown, my improved mechanism is contained within a box or casing 7 which may have a suitable removable cover 8. Journaled in the cover 8 is a shaft 9 whose lower end 10 is provided with across pin 11. The lower end 10 is adapted for reception in the end of the shaft 5 and the cross pin 11 to be received in notches 12 in the end of shaft 5 whereby the shaft 9 is clutched to shaft 5 so that it will be driven thereby. The shaft 9 is slidable so that the knob 13 on its upper end, which is located outside of easing T, can be grasped to lift the shaft and disengage the clutch 11, 12. Other means could be employed to effect this engagement so that the mechanism operated by shaft 9 will not run if it is desired to stop it.

A. worm 1 1 carried by shaft 9 meshes with worm wheel 15 carried by shaft 16 which is suitably mounted in the frame 17 contained within the casing 7.

On the shaft 16 is fixed a pinion l8.

Mounted in the frame pieces 17 are the Shafts 19 and 20, the former carrying a spur gear 21 and a pinion 22-. Shad-n carries a spur gear 23 gearing with pinion 22, and a pinion 24.

The train of gearing thus provided drives the time wheel 25, the latter having teeth and being engaged by pinion 24;.

The time wheel 25 which is carried by a bearing 25 mounted in frame piece 17 is provided with. pockets or holes 26, whose number will vary according to circumstances. I have illustrated a time wheel adapted to carry out an eight hour timing or schedule, there being thirty-two pockets or holes 26, each pocket or hole representing a va riation of fifteen minutes from the pocket or hole adjacent thereto. Thus, the time wheel is adapted to effect an operation of the machine the mechanism controls equivalent to a period of fifteen minutes or any multiple thereof. It is to be understood, of course, that the showing is merely illustrative as the total time period may be any number ofhours subdivided in any desired way. Furthermore, the ratio of the gears and the speed of the driving shaft of the machine controlled by my mechanism will be factors determining the total time period and fractions thereof which may be controlled.

lvlounted and slidable in suitable bearings 25 and 31, is a settable spindle or device 27 which carries a knurled head 28 on its outer end adapted to be conveniently grasped to turn. and et the spindle 27 according to requirements. The spindle 2'? is slidable in the direction of its length, as well as being adapted for turning, and it carries a suitably equipped dial 29 which will correspond in time period to the time period represented by the sockets or holes 26 of the time wheel 25. A pointer or arrow 30 on the casing 7 indicates, in connection with the dial 29, the

setting desired, thereby guiding the user in manipulating the head 28 to set the spindle 27 to bring about the desired results.

Projecting from the inner" face of the casing 7 is a hub 31, in which the spindle 2. is mounted, said hub having a spring pressed ball 32. The spring iressure means 33 may be of any desired construction, the purpose being to provide a latch which will prevent accidental longitudinal shifting of the spindle 27 from its setposition. The jarring of the machine might result in accidental displacement of the spindle 27 were not some such device provided. The spindle 27 is provided with two peripheral grooves 34- and 35. When the spindle is pulled out, the ball 32 engages the innermost groove 34 and thus retains thev spin dle in unlatched relationship to the time. wheel 25. On the other hand, when the spindle 27 is pushed in to engage the time wheel 25, the ball 32 is received in the groove and thus latches the spindle in its engaged position without, however,interfering with the turning of said spindle under the influence of the time wheel 25 as will now appear.

Secured to the spindle 27 is a latching arm 36 which has a pin 3?? adapted to enter any one of the pockets or holes 26 in the time wheel 25 when the spindle 27 is pushed inwardly. Once this occurs, the spindle is locked to the time wheel 25 and turns therewith until released. When the spin.- dle is pulled out, the pin 37 is free from the time wheel and consequently the gear train may turn the time wheel without bringing about any operation of the electric switch hereinafter described.

Secured, to the spindle 27 is the lever 38 which is the element that directly operates the electric switch 39 whose wires 40 control the circuit of the motor 1. The switch may be of any suitable, approved type, such as a quick make and break switch. As the construction of this switch does not enter into my invention, the interior mechanism thereof is not shown. The operating means for the switch comprises a slidable rod 41 and: a circular head 42 carried thereby. The head 42 is disposed for engagement by the lever 38.

When the rod 41 is in the position shown, the switch is off. To start the fan motor 1 it is necessary for the head 42 to be forced to the left an equal distance past the vertical center line in order that the spring inside the switch 39 will snap the switch blades to effect closing of the circuit.

Assuming that the fan is not running and that it is desired to have the fan operated for a. predetermined period of time, the knurled head 28 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction until the lever 38 engagesthe. head 12 and moves the rod 41 a suflicient llu distance to cause the spring inside of the switch. 39 to operate the switch to close the circuit. This action having been accom plished, the spindle 27 is now pushed inwardly until the pin 37 enters one of the holes 26, thus locking the spindle to the time wheel 25. The lever 38 is now on the right hand side of the head 42. The train of gears causes the time wheel 25 to move in the direction of the arrow. Consequently the lever 38 moves in a clockwise direction with the time wheel 25 until it finally comes in contact with the head 42 on the left hand side thereof and shifts the head 42 and rod 41 to open the switch, whereupon the supply of current to the fan is cut off.

The train of gears is so arranged that it will impart a. complete rotation to the time wheel 25 in a predetermined number of minutes or hours, say one to eight or more hours. If, for instance, the gearing is so arranged that the time wheel 25 will revolve once in eight hours, if the pin 37 is inserted in the hole 26 nearest to the right hand face of te head 42, after the switch has been closed, the lever 38 would travel around with the time wheel 25 for a period of eight hours before it engaged the left hand side of the head 42, whereupon the switch 39 would be opened.

However, if it is desired to operate the fan for any period less than eight hours, the graduations on the dial 29 enable the user to turn the knurled knob 28 to any desired posi tion, representing elapsed time, before the spindle 27 is pushed in to cause the pin 37 to enter one of the holes 26. Thus, any shorter period than the maximum period represented by the time wheel 25 can be selected for the continuous operation of the fan.

At any time that it is desired to have the fan run continuously, it is only necessary to pull out the spindle 27 so that the pin 37 is not engaged with the time wheel 25.

The purpose of having numerous holes 26 is so that one of them will always be close- 1y related to the position of the pin 37 when the dial 29 is lined up for the hour at which the fan or other motor should stop. This feature is necessary as it is obvious that the time wheel 25 will stop in a different position each time the motor ceases to run. Another advantage of the mechanism is that if the knurled knob 28 is accidentally pushed in, it is only possible to cause an operation of the motor for a period corresponding to the distance the lever 38 will have to travel before it engages the head 42 as it will then open the switch and the motor will stop.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated how the mechanism may be used in connection with a well known type of two-button snap switch 39. This type of switch is used extensively in motors of fractional horse power or small horse power and for the remote control of circuits of motors of any size. The lever 38 is shown as having pushed in the on button 39 thus starting the motor. Having set the spindle 27 so that it will be carried around by the time wheel, the lever 38 eventually engages the OE button 39, after tho predetermined time period has elapsed, thus opening the switch.

I claim:

1. In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with driving means, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said driving means, a quick makeand-hreak snao switch controlling the circuit of the motor, and a rotarily mounted switch-actuating device adapted to be continuously rotated by the time wheel when coupled thereto for the purpose of positively engz-iging and operating said snap switch after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

2. In switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with driving means, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said driving means and having a plurality of engageable devices representing diiierent time intervals which will. elapse before the time wheel completes its rotation, a quick make-and-break snap switch controlling the circuit of the motor, and a. rotarily Jiounted settable switch operating device adapted, when engaged with any one of said engageable devices, to be continuously rotated by the time wheel for an elapsed time period corresponding thereto and then to positively engage and operate the switch.

In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors. the combination with driv' means, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said driving means having on gageable devices representing a time interval or period, and a combined axially slidable and rotatable switch-actuating' device adapted, when slid into engagement with the devices on the time wheel, tobe thereafter turned by said time wheel for the purpose of actuating a switch after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

4. In a switch operating mechanism. for controlling motors. the combination with operating gearin of an elapsed time wheel operated by said and having plurality of engageab means representing different time intervals which will elapse be fore the time wheel completes its rotation, and combined axially slidable and rotatable switch-actuating device adapted, when slid into engagement with any one of said means on the time wheel, to be thereafter turned by said time wheel for the purpose of actuating a switch after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

5. In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with operating gearing, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said gearing and having a plurality of engageablemeans representing different time intervals which will elapse before the time wheel completes its rotation, a combined axially slidable and rotatable switch-actuating device adapted, when slid into engagement with any one of said means on the time wheel, to be thereafter turned by said time wheel for the purpose of actuating a switch after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, and a dial having time period indicia corresponding to the above engageable means on the time wheel, said dial being so related to the slidable and rotatable switch-actuating device that the latter can be set at will to select any one of the plurality of engageable means on the time wheel so that the switch-actuating device will operate the switch when a correspond ing time interval has elapsed.

6. In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with operating gearing, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said gearing having engageable means representing a time interval or period, a combined slidable and rota-table switchactuating device adapted, when slid into engagement wit-h the means on the time wheel, to be thereafter turned by said time wheel for the purpose of actuating a switch after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, and latching means for retaining the combined slidable and rotatable switch-actuating device in engagement with the time wheel or in disengaged relation thereto without interfering with the adaptability of the switch-actuating device to rotate.

7. In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with operating gearing, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said gearing having engageable means representing a time interval or period, a combined axially slidable and rotatable spindle, a. latching arm carried by said spindle having means for engaging the engageable means of the time wheel, and a lever carried by the spindle, said spindle being adapted to be slid to effect engagement of the latching arm and time wheel or disengagement thereof, and said lever being adapted to actuate a-switch either by manual turning of the spindle or by the rotation of the spindle by the time wheel when the latching arm is coupled to said time wheel.

8. In a switch operating mechanism for controlling motors, the combination with operating gearing, of an elapsed time wheel operated by said gearingwhich is provided to be disengaged therefrom so that the time? wheel will not cause rotation of the spindle, and a lever carried, by the spindle which is adapted to be turned either by manual rotation of the spindle for the purpose of actuating the switch, or to be turned by the rotation of the time wheel according to the elapsed time period selected, for the purpose of actuating the switch after said time period has elapsed.

9. In a switch operating mechanism for:

controlling motors, the combination with operating gearing,.of an elapsed time wheel operated by said gearing which is provided with a plurality of pockets representing different time intervals which will elapse be-z fore the time wheel completes its rotation, a combined slidable and rotatable spindle having means for its manual manipulation, a latching arm carried by the spindle which is provided with a pin adapted to enter inone of the pockets aforesaid according to selective manipulation of the spindle, or, to be disengaged therefrom so that the time wheel will not cause rotation of the spindle,

a lever carried by the spindle which i812 adapted to be turned either by manual rotation of the spindle for the purpose of ac tuating the switch, or to be turned by the rotation of the time wheel according to the elapsed time period selected, for the pur-v pose of actuating the switch after said time period has elapsed, latching means for retaming the combined slidable and rotatable spindle in engagement with the time wheel or in disengaged relation thereto without in terfering with the adaptability of the spin dle to rotate, and indicating means having time period indiciacorresponding to the time periods represented by the pockets, said indicator being so related to the slidable and.

rotatable spindle that the latter can be set at will to select any one of the pockets so that the lever will operate the switch when the corresponding time interval has elapsed.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature.

DANIEL /V. WARD. lVitnesses:

JOHN W. FARLEY,

L. M. BAILEY. i 

